Mexborough and Swinton Times March 23, 1940

Obituary – Mr. A. Smalley

Well Known Mexborough Coal Merchant

Mr. Albeit Smalley, of 13. Church Street, Mexborough, who died at his home on Sunday at the aged of 81, celebrated his Diamond Wedding only in February.

Mr. Smalley came to Mexborough as a boy from Hunslet, near Leeds, and began work as an apprentice blacksmith in Mexborough. Later, he joined a wagon wheel works, and afterwards worked for Baker and Burnett, of Conisborough, a well-known wagon firm. Subsequently, he was ’employed in the wagon shops at Denaby Main Colliery. and then transferred to the staff of the North Central Wagon Co. at Hexthorpe. Doncaster.

In 1889 he was appointed carriage and wagon inspector of the Great Central depot at Mexborough and resigned that position to become traffic and wagon inspector to the Manvers Main Collieries, a position he held for 13 years, retiring from it to enter the wagon and coal trade on his own account.

Mr. Smalley was interested in many branches of the coal and coke trades, and was largely instrumental in forming in Mexborough over twenty years ago a coal and coke trades association, which ultimately became the Sheffield and District Association. Mr. Smalley had been its president throughout. He leaves a widow, live sons and a daughter.

Mrs. Smalley is a native of Mexborough. Both have been members of Mexborough Congregational Church for nearly sixty years; Mr. Smalley was a Deacon and for several years was superintendent of the Sunday School. A social gathering was held at the church to celebrate their Golden Wedding in February. 1930.

The funeral was at Mexborough yesterday.